Incoming and outgoing call control customization

ABSTRACT

Customer communications can be controlled in accordance with customized rules. An entry menu includes options to modify an existing rule or create a new rule for controlling customer communications. An initial selection criteria menu includes options to indicate whether the new customized rule will be built using a preexisting template or starting from initial blank rule criteria. A list of preexisting templates for creating new customized rules can be provided, and input to populate a selected template can be accepted. Initial blank rule criteria for creating new customized rules can also be provided, including initial criteria and rule conditions for selected initial criteria. Communications are processed in accordance with the stored new customized rule.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/282,662, filed on Nov. 21, 2005, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to enabling subscribers tocreate customized call control rules for subscriber specified callidentification and disposition.

2. Background Information

Currently, subscribers to various call related services, such as callforwarding, call screening, call blocking and voice mail, have a limitedability to alter the implementation of these services. There arepresently interfaces provided by the service providers that narrowlyenable a subscriber to make changes to the existing call services, usingconfusing web pages or other interfaces, and affecting limitedparameters. For example, typical call service interfaces list optionsthat enable a subscriber to activate or deactivate entire features, butdo not allow the subscriber to change the features themselves, either indetermining how to identify or dispose of certain calls in accordancewith the subscriber's criteria. Therefore, if the subscriber wants tohave customized call control outside the preset call controlconfigurations made available by the service provider, the underlyingsystem would not support the customized call control, the subscriberwould have to understand and implement relatively complex computerprogramming, or both.

Accordingly, a need exists for a flexible and user-friendly interface toa telecommunication network, enabling an average subscriber to build andedit complex call control rules and to customize his or her call controlservices for implementation by the network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described in the detailed descriptionthat follows, by reference to the noted drawings by way of non-limitingexamples of embodiments of the present invention, in which likereference numerals represent similar parts throughout several views ofthe drawings, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system forimplementing various aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary telecommunicationsnetwork for incoming and outgoing call controls, according to an aspectof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an exemplary VoIP telecommunicationsnetwork for incoming and outgoing call controls, according to an aspectof the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a flow chart showing an exemplary implementationof an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary Web page showing a rules controller entry point,according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary Web page for changing an incoming call PIN,according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary Web page for creating a rule from a template,according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary Web page for creating a blank rule, according toan aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary Web page for creating an inbound call rule usingblank rules, according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are exemplary Web pages for identifying conditions foran inbound call rule, according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary Web page for setting address book entries,according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary Web page for identifying call dispositions,according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary Web page for setting ring tones, according to anaspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is an exemplary Web page for naming the call control rule,according to an aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to enabling a service subscriber toflexibly build complex, customized call control rules, without theassistance of the network service provider and without having to be acomputer programming expert. The services to which the present inventionapplies includes all conventional call control services offered by thenetwork service provider. These services include, for example, a callmonitoring service that set restrictions on incoming and outgoingtelephone calls for a subscriber based, for example, calling party namesand numbers and time of day, day of week scheduling. Personalidentification numbers may be provided to enable the calling party orthe called party to override existing restrictions on the incoming andoutgoing calls, respectively, based on previously provided instructionsfrom the subscriber.

In view of the above, the present invention through one or more of itsvarious aspects and/or embodiments is presented to accomplish one ormore objectives and advantages, such as those noted below.

An aspect of the present invention provides a method for customizing acall control rule by a subscriber at a graphical user interface, thecall control rule being associated with at least one telephone number ofthe subscriber in a telecommunications network. The method includesproviding a first display, including multiple independent conditionsrelating to identifying calls involving the subscriber's telephonenumber, and receiving a first selection of at least one identifyingcondition. The method further includes providing a second display,including multiple independent call dispositions relating to processingthe calls based on the at least one selected condition, and receiving asecond selection of at least one call disposition. The at least oneidentifying condition and the at least one call disposition are storedas the call control rule in association with the subscriber's telephonenumber, and calls involving the telephone number are processed inaccordance with the stored call control rule. The identifying conditionand the disposition of the call may not have a predeterminedrelationship.

The method may also include providing a third display describing thecall control rule contemporaneously with receiving the first selectionand the second selection. The third display may include at least onevariable in the third display, and a third selection, defining the atleast one variable in the third display, may be received. For example,the variable may be directed to an address book, so that defining thevariable includes identifying one of a number of address bookcategories, each category including at least one telephone number. Thevariable may be directed to a ring-tone, so that defining the variableincludes identifying one of a number of ring-tones corresponding to thecall disposition. Also, the variable may be directed to an indication ofwhether the call control rule applies to an inbound call or an outboundcall, or an indication of whether the call control rule applies beforeor after ringing a device corresponding to the subscriber's telephonenumber.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a system forcustomizing a call control rule by a subscriber associated with at leastone telephone number of the subscriber, including a web server in apacket switching network and a database. The web server is accessible bythe subscriber from a graphical user interface, and displays at thegraphical user interface multiple independent conditions relating toidentifying calls involving the telephone number, and separatelydisplays multiple independent call dispositions relating to theidentified calls. The web server receives selections of at least oneidentifying condition and at least one corresponding call disposition.The database stores the at least one identifying condition and the atleast one call disposition received from the web server as the callcontrol rule, and is accessible by a processor in a telecommunicationsnetwork to implement the call control rule for calls involving the atleast one telephone number. The packet switching network may be thepublic Internet. Also, the telecommunications network may be the PSTNand the processor includes a service control point, or thetelecommunications network may be the Internet and the processorincludes a proxy server.

The web server may dynamically display at the graphical user interface adescription of the call control rule corresponding to the receivedselections of the identifying condition and corresponding calldisposition. The description may further include at least one variable,where the web server receives additional data corresponding to thevariable further defining the call control rule.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a computer readablemedium for storing a computer program for customizing a call controlrule by a subscriber via a graphical user interface through a packetswitching network, the call control rule being associated with at leastone telephone number of the subscriber in a telecommunications network.The computer readable medium includes a display code segment thatdisplays on the graphical user interface multiple conditions relating toidentifying calls involving the telephone number and multiple calldispositions relating to identified calls; a receiving code segment thatreceives from the graphical user interface selections of at least oneidentifying condition and at least one call disposition; and a storingcode segment that stores the identifying conditions and calldispositions as the call control rule in association with the telephonenumber. Calls involving the telephone number of the subscriber are thenprocessed in the telecommunications network in accordance with thestored call control rule. The display code segment may further display adescription of the call control rule at the graphical user interfaceafter the receiving code segment receives the selections of the at leastone identifying condition and at least one call disposition.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a method forcustomizing a call control rule by a subscriber via a graphical userinterface over a packet switching network, the call control rule beingassociated with at least one telephone number of the subscriber in atelecommunications network. The method includes providing multipleoptions for building a call control rule, at least one option includesusing a template. When the template option is selected, at least onetemplate is displayed at the graphical user interface, and a selectionof the desired template is received. The desired template includes atleast one condition relating to identifying calls involving the at leastone telephone number and at least one call disposition relating to theidentified calls. When the template option is not selected, multipleconditions relating to identifying calls involving the at least onetelephone number and multiple dispositions relating to the identifiedcalls are displayed at the graphical user interface, and selections ofat least one identifying condition and at least one call disposition arereceived. The at least one identifying condition and the at least onecall disposition are stored as the call control rule in association withthe telephone number, and calls in the telecommunications networkinvolving the telephone number are processed in accordance with thestored call control rule.

At least one variable may also be displayed in the description of theselected template when the template option is selected. Then, additionaldata defining the at least one variable may be received. When thetemplate option is not selected, descriptions of the selected at leastone identifying condition and the at least one call disposition aredisplayed.

The various aspects and embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail below.

Referring to FIG. 1, an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem, on which the incoming and outgoing call control can beimplemented, is shown and is designated 100. The computer system 100 caninclude a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computersystem 100 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer basedfunctions disclosed herein. The computer system 100 may operate as astandalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network 101, toother computer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 100 may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The computer system 100 can alsobe implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), an internetprotocol (IP telephone), an analog terminal adapter (ATA), a palmtopcomputer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a land-linetelephone, a control system, a web appliance, a network router, switchor bridge, or any other machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system 100 canbe implemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single computer system 100 isillustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include anycollection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointlyexecute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or morecomputer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the computer system 100 may include aprocessor 110, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system 100 caninclude a main memory 120 and a static memory 130 that can communicatewith each other via a bus 108. As shown, the computer system 100 mayfurther include a video display unit 150, such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat paneldisplay, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).Additionally, the computer system 100 may include an input device 160,such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device 170, such as a mouse.The computer system 100 can also include a disk drive unit 180, a signalgeneration device 190, such as a speaker or remote control, and anetwork interface device 140.

In an embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1, the disk drive unit 180 mayinclude a computer-readable medium 182 in which one or more sets ofinstructions 184, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions 184 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 184 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 120,the static memory 130, and/or within the processor 110 during executionby the computer system 100. The main memory 120 and the processor 110also may include computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium 182 thatincludes instructions 184 or receives and executes instructions 184, sothat a device connected to a network 101 can communicate voice, video ordata over the network 101. Further, the instructions 184 may betransmitted or received over the network 101 via the network interfacedevice 140.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single hardware medium ormultiple hardware mediums, such as a centralized or distributeddatabase, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or moresets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall alsoinclude any medium that is capable of storing or encoding a set ofinstructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computersystem to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosedherein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives may be considered a distributionmedium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalentsand successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

The present invention is intended to function with anytelecommunications network, including, for example, frame, cell orpacket switching networks, that supports private line, data and videoservices, without affecting the spirit and scope of the invention. Thetelecommunications networks include, for example, time divisionmultiplex (TDM) wireline and wireless networks, as used in conventionaladvanced intelligent network (AIN) environments in the PSTN, VoIPwireline and wireless networks using the Internet, as well as ATM andother types of networks. The network must include a rules engine, whichapplies the stored call control rules against inbound and outboundcalls, and processes the corresponding call dispositions.

FIG. 2 in particular is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodimentof the present invention as implemented in an AIN environment, andincludes both wireless and wireline implementations. Thetelecommunications network includes a service control point (SCP) 243,which provides the rules engine, and a signaling transfer point (STP)242 for processing calls in the public switched telephone network 240.By way of example, the SCP 243 is implemented with the BellcoreIntegrated Service Control Point™, loaded with ISCP software Version 4.4(or higher), available from Telecordia™, Murray Hill, N.J. In analternative embodiment of the invention, the SCP 243 may be a LucentAdvantage SCP™, with software release 94, available from LucentTechnologies™, Inc. The SCP 243 processes calls in the AIN and includesconsideration of the services activated on behalf of the varioussubscribers. The SCP 243 may access various databases, including therules database 245, which stores the subscribers' respective callcontrol rules, names associated with telephone numbers, and other callrouting and disposition data. The databases may be internal or externalto the SCP 243 and may include a table format. The SCP 243 interfaceswith external databases through any compatible protocol, such as SR-3389or SR-3511. The call flow logic of the present invention may be upgradedto accommodate future AIN releases and protocols and future triggertypes.

Further, in an alternative embodiment, the call control functionalitymay be external to the SCP 243, for example, when Parlay applicationprogram interface (API) functionality is incorporated. An SCP supportingParlay is typically referred to as a Parlay Gateway. The externalprogram that uses Parlay APIs to control the underlying telephonenetwork through the Parlay Gateway is referred to as a Parlay Client. Inthis embodiment, the call control rule functions are implemented in theParlay Client.

Also included in the PSTN 240 are representative central officeswitches. In particular, FIG. 2 depicts a first service switching point(SSP) 241 servicing an outside party telephone 220, and a second SSP 244servicing the subscriber telephone 221. The SSPs 241 and 244, the STP242 and the SCP 243 are capable of communicating with one another usingout-of-band signaling, such as signaling system 7 (SS7), although it isunderstood that any comparable signaling transport may be incorporatedin the invention, including for example X.25 and IP.

The outside party telephone 220 and the subscriber telephone 221 may beany type of PSTN compatible telephone or system, including, for example,a plain old telephone service (POTS) telephone, or a telephone in aCentrex system, a PBX system, an internet PBX (iPBX) system orelectronic key telephone system (EKTS). Depending on the callorigination point, the SSP 241 and the SSP 244 may be either theoriginating or the terminating switch. For example, if a call is placedfrom the outside party telephone 220 to the subscriber telephone 221,the SSP 241 is the originating switch and the SSP 244 is the terminatingswitch. If a call is placed from the subscriber telephone 221 to theoutside party telephone 220, the SSP 244 is the originating switch andSSP 241 is the terminating switch. However, as a practical matter, theoriginating switch and the terminating switch may be the same, or thecall may be routed through any number of intervening switches in thePSTN between the originating and the terminating switches.

The SSPs 241 and 244 are capable of recognizing AIN triggers, includingtriggers associated with calling and called party numbers and trunkgroups. They may include, for example, 1AESS™ or 5ESS™ switchesmanufactured by Lucent Technologies™, Inc.; DMS-100™ switchesmanufactured by Nortel Networks™ Corporation (Nortel); AXE-10™ switchesmanufactured by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson™, or EWSD™ switchesavailable from Siemens Information and Communication Networks™, Inc. Theswitches may utilize an AIN Release 0.1 protocol. However, embodimentsof the present invention may incorporate switches, such as ATM switches,that are incorporated into any alternative telecommunicationstechnology.

A data network of the invention includes a web server 255 and a rulesdatabase 245, for example, connectable to the web client 228 through theInternet 250. The web client 228 includes a graphical user interface(GUI), e.g., a PC operating a web browser, such as Microsoft InternetExplorer™, available from Microsoft™ Corporation, or NetscapeNavigator™, available from Netscape Communications™ Corporation, orother software enabling communication with the web server 255 over theInternet 250. In an embodiment, the web client 228 may additionally runclient software provided by the service provider.

The rules database 245 is configured to send and receive data to andfrom the SCP 223, and effectively provides the subscriber an interfaceto the SCP 223 from the web client 250 (or any other Internet compatibledevice) through the web server 255, via the Internet 250. The rulesdatabase 245 stores and distributes subscriber specific data relating tothe call control services, including account numbers, passwords andother authentication data, PIN numbers to bypass call blocking features,call specific data and subscriber report information.

In one embodiment, the web client 228 is implemented with an IBMPentium™ based PC, running the Linux™ operating system, available from,for example, Free Software Foundation™, Inc., or the Microsoft Windows™operating system, and running the Microsoft Internet Explorer™, NetscapeNavigator™ or HotJava™, available from Sun Microsystems™, Inc., webbrowser software. An embodiment of the invention includes the web server255 running either the Linux™ or the Microsoft Windows™ operating systemand the Apache™ web server software, available from the Apache SoftwareFoundation™, or the Jigsaw™ web server software, available from WorldWide Web Consortium™ (W3C). Each of the depicted processor, includingthe web client 228, the web server 255, the rules database 245 and theSCP 243 may be computers as described, for example, with respect to FIG.1, above.

FIG. 2 further depicts an exemplary wireless interface with the PSTN. Inparticular, the network includes a mobile services switching center(MSC) 236, which communicates with the PSTN through the STP 242. The MSC236 may be, for example, an Alcatel 1000 MSC™ switch manufactured byCompagnie Financière Alcatel™ (Alcatel), an 5ESS-2000™ switchmanufactured by Lucent™, a DMS-MTX™ switch manufactured by Nortel™, orthe like.

The MSC 236 is connected to multiple base station controllers (BSCs),including for example BSC 234. In turn, BSC 234 is connected to multiplebase transceiver stations, (BTSs), including for example BTS 232. Themobile station 230 wirelessly communicates with the BTS 232, whichinterfaces with the SCP 243 for call disposition through the BSC 234 andthe MSC 236. The mobile station 230 may be any wireless communicationdevice, such as a cellular telephone, a PDA, a laptop computer, or thelike. Of course, depending on the geographical position of the mobilestation 230, a different BTS, BSC and/or MSC may be involved incompleting the communication. The number of base stations serviced bythe MSC 236 is a function of the design of the wireless network. It isfurther understood that the BTS 232 communicates with the mobile station230 via any known wireless modulation and transmission techniques,including, for example, advanced mobile phone service (AMPS), codedivision multiple access (CDMA), direct sequence CDMA (DS-CDMA),cdma2000, IS-95, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), timedivision multiple access (TDMA), or the like.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention as implemented in a typical VoIP network. FIG. 3 depicts awireline implementation, although it is understood that it is equallyapplicable to wireless networks, for example, as described above withrespect to FIG. 2.

More particularly, FIG. 3 shows various types of communication endsystems or devices that are able to communicate using VoIP over theInternet 250. For example, the web client 228, when configured with aspeaker and a microphone, may be used for VoIP calls. The web client 228accesses the Internet through any conventional high speed or broadbandconnection, including for example cable and digital subscriber line(DSL) connections. Likewise, a VoIP telephone 223 is able to make VoIPcalls with no additional configuration, other than a high speed orbroadband Internet connection. The VoIP telephone 223 may include, forexample, the 4600™ series of IP telephones offered by Avaya™, Inc. Aconventional analog telephone, such as the subscriber telephone 221, canalso be used for VoIP communications, with the addition of equipment,such as the analog telephone adaptor (ATA) 222, capable of convertingsignaling and voice (or other traffic) from the subscriber telephone 221to IP.

Calls to and from any of the subscriber end systems necessarily passthrough the Internet 250. The calls are controlled by a carrier, asindicated, for example, by the SIP (session initiation protocol) VoIPCarrier 360, which is depicted separately from the Internet 250 for thesake of simplifying the discussion. The SIP VoIP Carrier 360 includesthe Rules Database 245 and the web server 255, which generally includethe same functionality as discussed above with respect to FIG. 2.

The SIP VoIP Carrier 360 also includes a proxy 361 which identifies thevarious conditions of calls made to and from the subscriber end systems,and determines the dispositions based on the same, thus effectivelyfunctioning as the rules engine. Generally, the proxy 361 makes callrouting determinations based, in part, on the call control rules storedin the rules database 245, such as call blocking, call forwarding, callscreening and other services. (The rules database 245 may be accessedand updated by the subscriber via the web client 228 and the web server255, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 2 above.) For example, theSIP VoIP Carrier 360 receives call setup signaling messages via theInternet 250 relating to calls placed from the subscriber telephone 221.Pursuant to the signaling, the proxy 361 receives the IP addressassociated with the subscriber telephone 221, as well as the calledtelephone number. The proxy 361 is able to access a database indicatingIP addresses associated with telephone numbers, thus indicating thetelephone numbers capable of receiving VoIP calls.

When the called party cannot receive VoIP calls (e.g., the outside partytelephone does not have an ATA, and is not a VoIP telephone or PC withInternet access), the proxy 361 determines that the call must beforwarded over the PSTN 240, and a gateway 362 is needed to interfacewith the PSTN 240. The gateway 362 may be any device capable ofinterfacing the PSTN 240, including, for example, a Siemens SURPASS hiG1200 Media Gateway. In an embodiment of the invention, when the gateway362 is used, the subscriber telephone 221 connects directly to thegateway 362 through the Internet 250 using, for example, Real-TimeTransport Protocol (RTP) packets, while the call signaling still goesthrough the proxy 361, enabling implementation of the call controlrules. The PSTN 240 is shown to include the SCP 243, the STP 242 and theSSP 241 for connecting the call to the outside party telephone 220, eachof which is discussed above.

Regardless of the network environment, the invention as it relates tobuilding customized call control rules is implemented in essentially thesame manner. For example, FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a flow chart showingexemplary software logic run by a processor to enable the subscriber tobuild new call control rules according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The logic may be implemented, for example, on the web server255, which is accessible by the subscriber from any device capable ofcommunicating over the Internet 250, including, for example, the webclient 228. It is understood that the invention is not limited to thespecific steps discussed below, and thus, they should not be interpretedas limiting the scope of the invention; alternative steps achieving thesame results relating to subscriber customization of call control rulesmay be employed without departing from the scope and/or spirit of theinvention.

In step s410 of FIG. 4A, the web server 255 receives a request from thesubscriber to build a call control rule. The subscriber accesses the webserver 255, for example, using a unique uniform resource locator (URL)associated with the service. In alternative embodiments of theinvention, the subscriber must be authenticated before being permittedaccess to the call control rule service. For example, the web server 255may cause web pages to be displayed at the web client 228 requesting anaccount number and password, or other authentication data, beforeallowing the subscriber access to the subscriber's data in the callcontrol rule service or the rules database 245.

After authentication, the web server 255 displays a home page or mainmenu at step s411, such as the exemplary web page 500 of FIG. 5,discussed below, which is the main menu of the subscriber's call controlinterface, according to an embodiment of the invention. The actuallayout of the web pages depicted herein, as well as the specific optionsmade available to the subscriber on the web pages, may vary, withoutdeparting from spirit and scope of the present invention.

The web server 255 then receives requests for various functionsavailable to the subscriber at the main menu, including, for example,making changes to existing call control rules and creating new callcontrol rules relating to existing or new services (e.g., callforwarding and call blocking). FIG. 4A, in particular, shows the webserver 255 receiving a request to build a new call control rule at steps412. The web server 255 responds by displaying the initial rulebuilding criteria at the web client 228 at step s413. An example of theinitial rule building criteria is depicted in web page 700 of FIG. 7,discussed below.

At step s414, the web server 255 receives information regardingindicates whether the new call control rule is to be built using atemplate. When the subscriber selects using a template, the processproceeds to step s416, in which the web server 255 displays the list ofrule templates available to the subscriber, for example, in the SelectRule Template box 720 of FIG. 7. The subscriber's selection of atemplate is received at step s418, in response to which the web server255 displays the text of the template at step s419, for example, in theRule Description box 731 of FIG. 7.

The template is not static, but is merely a starting point for thesubscriber. The subscriber can accept the call control rule in itsentirety, as is, or make changes to the template to further customizethe call control rule. Accordingly, at step s420, it is determinedwhether any changes to the template are to be made. If YES, then the webserver 255 receives the edits at step s421, and returns to step s420 todetermine whether any additional changes are to be implemented. Thiscycle continues until the subscriber indicates that the new call controlrule is satisfactory and there are no further changes to the template.The process then proceeds to step s422, at which the web server 255causes the new rule to be stored, for example, at the rules database245. The rule is now ready for immediate implementation, e.g., by theSCP 243 or the proxy 361.

Returning to step s414, the alternative to using a template is to buildthe new rule from scratch, using blank rule criteria. The initial blankrule criteria are displayed on the web client 228 at step s430 of FIG.4B. Exemplary web pages indicating initial blank rule criteria are shownin web pages 800 and 900 of FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively. At step s432,the web server 255 receives the subscriber's selection of the initialcriteria, which may include, for example, such information as whetherthe new rule involves inbound or outbound calls, and whether the newrule should be applied before or after the subscriber's telephone rings.

Once the initial criteria are established, the web server 255 displays alist of rule conditions (e.g., corresponding to the initially selectedcriteria) on the web client 228 at step s434. The various conditions areshown, for example, in the Rule Conditions box 1010 of exemplary webpage 1000, shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, discussed below. The web server255 receives the subscriber's selection of a condition at step s436, anddisplays the corresponding description of the selected condition as therule is being built at step s438.

At step s440, it is determined whether any additional conditions are tobe added to the call control rule. If YES, then the web server 255receives the additional conditions at step s442, and returns to steps440 to determine whether any additional conditions are to beimplemented. The various additional conditions are shown, for example,in the Rule Conditions box 1010 of exemplary web page 1000, which keepsa running description of the conditions as they are selected by thesubscriber, for example, by highlighting the listed conditions in theRule Conditions box 1010. This cycle continues until the subscriberindicates that the new call control rule is satisfactory and there areno further conditions. The process then proceeds to step s444, at whichthe web server 255 causes the new rule to be stored, for example, at therules database 245. The rule is now ready for immediate implementation,e.g., by the SCP 243 or the proxy 361.

As discussed above, FIGS. 5-14 show web pages to be displayed on the webclient 228, for example, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The sample web pages are merely examples and are not limitingwith respect to the scope and spirit of the invention. Referring to FIG.5, in particular, the main menu web page 500 requests a telephone numberto which the call control rules are to be applied. There are separaterule sets for each telephone number. The telephone number may be typedinto the telephone number field 501. Alternatively, if the subscriber isaccessing the call control system from his or her own computer, such asweb client 228, or has been otherwise adequately authenticated, theapplicable telephone number may be selected from a previously entereddrop-down list of telephone numbers.

Also included in the exemplary web page 500 is a Apply Rules box 510, inwhich the various rules applicable to the telephone account number infield 501 are listed. As indicated, the rules are applied in the orderin which they are listed, top to bottom. The rules shown in this exampleare “Privacy Manager,” “Anonymous Call Rejection,” “Selective CallForwarding” and “Default.” By selecting or clicking on of the rules inthe Apply Rules box 510, the subscriber can perform a number of tasksrelated to the selected rule. For example, the Privacy Manager Rule ishighlighted or selected, and thus a narrative description correspondingto the Privacy Manager Rule is shown in the text of the Rule Descriptionbox 520, discussed below.

The order in which the rules are applied is important with respect tohow the call controls function. For example, when Default Rule is set,all calls are passed on to the applicable telephone (and then forwardedto voicemail, for example, if the call is not answered or the telephoneis busy). Therefore, putting the Default Rule at the top of the listwould prevent any of the other rules from ever running. The order inwhich the rules are listed may be changed in the depicted embodiment byselecting the desired rule and clicking the Move Up button 516 to movethe rule above the next higher up rule, and clicking the Move Downbutton 517 to move the rule below the next lower rule in the list.

Adjacent to the Rules Display box 510 are five buttons. Clicking on theNew button 511 enables the subscriber to create new call control rules.The process of creating a new rule is described below with respect toFIGS. 7-11, below.

Clicking the Copy button 512 creates a copy of the Rule presentlyhighlighted in the Rules Display box 510, and places the copy at the endof the list. The name given to the copied rule is the name of thehighlight Rule being copied, followed by “copy N,” where N is a numberused for identification purposes so that the copy's name is unique. Forexample, clicking the Copy button 511 with “Privacy Manager” selectedcreates a new rule at the bottom of the list in the Rules Display box510 called “Privacy Manager copy 1.” The purpose adding a copy of arule, for example, is to enable the subscriber to use the copy as atemplate for creating another rule. Rule creation using templates isdiscussed below.

Clicking on the Modify button 513 allows the subscriber to make changesto the selected rule indicated in the Rules Display box 510. Forexample, when “Privacy Manager” is selected, clicking the Modify button513 allows the subscriber to change the existing Privacy Manager Rule.Clicking on the Rename button 514 allows the subscriber to change thename of the selected rule. Because of the flexibility of the callcontrol rules system, the subscriber is able to assign any name he orshe wants to each of the various rules. Clicking on the Delete button515 removes the selected rule. When a rule is deleted, the remainingrules stay in the listed order.

The Rule Description box 520 displays the description of the rulehighlighted in the Apply Rules box 510. For example, the description ofthe Privacy Manager rule is “Apply this rule on inbound calls fromUNKNOWN NAME before ringing the telephone. Challenge for ID with PINoverride.” The underlined words of the description, which look like weblinks, indicate that the settings associated with that function arevariable, and if the subscriber desires, can be changed by clicking onthe underlined portion.

For example, when the subscriber desires to change the PIN that callers(since the Privacy Manager Rule is applied to incoming calls) can use tooverride the call blocking, the subscriber clicks on “PIN.” This actioncauses web page 600, shown in FIG. 6, to be downloaded from the webserver 255 and displayed on the client 228. The web page 600 includesthe same written description of the applicable Privacy Manager Rule box601. A PIN box 602 is also displayed, storing the PIN number for callersto use in order to override the Privacy Manager rule. The current PIN1955, can be changed by the subscriber clicking on the box 602 andentering another PIN. The new PIN is accepted by clicking the OK button522.

The other modifiable settings shown in the written description likewisehave corresponding web pages (not shown) to enable the subscriber tomake desired changes. For example, “UNKNOWN NAME” can be changed to“UNKNOWN CALLING NUMBER” or “PRIVATE CALLING NUMBER,” so that the ruleis invoked whenever the calling number is unknown or private,respectively. Also, “before” can be changed to “after,” so that thetelephone rings, letting the called party know of the inbound call, eventhough the caller has not yet overridden the blocking. “Challenge” canbe replaced with “NO Challenge,” in which case the calling party isnever given the opportunity to override the call blocking.

The exemplary web page 500 also includes four buttons below the RuleDescription box 510 which apply to the rule that has been built and iscurrently displayed in the Rule Description box 510. The OK button 522is selected in order to accept the rule, as described, forimplementation. The Cancel button 523 allows the subscriber to exit fromthe call control program, without accepting the displayed rule. In otherwords, the call control program would retain the same rules andparameters that it had at the beginning of the session, when the webpage 500 was first displayed. The Test Now button 524 allows thesubscriber to test the call control rule against his or her call logs,as described, for example, in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/102,484, filed Apr. 8, 2005, the contents of which are incorporatedby reference herein in its entirely, by displaying the subscriber'sactive call control rules. The Options button 525 provides thesubscriber access a predetermined set of options relating to the callcontrol program. In an embodiment of the invention, the Options include,for example, the ability to export and import call control rules (e.g.,to and from other subscribers), and to upgrade to new templates.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary web page 700 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention which is provided by the web server 255 to the client228 whenever the subscriber indicates a desire to create a new rule,such as by clicking on the New button 511 of web page 500 in FIG. 5. Theweb page 700 begins the process of creating a new call control rule byprompting the subscriber to make a selection of whether to startcreating a rule from a predefined template, by clicking on radio button711, or to start creating a rule from a blank rule (i.e., with notemplate), by clicking on radio button 712. As discussed above, whencreating a rule from a template, the web server 255 provides predefinedrule descriptions corresponding to various call control features. TheSelect Rule Template box 720 displays the templates available to thesubscriber, which in this example, are “Privacy Manager,” “AnonymousCall Rejection,” “Selective Call Forwarding,” and “Voicemail.” In anembodiment of the invention, the templates are provided by the serviceprovider in order to guide the subscriber through the many differentcall services that are available, indicating the most commonimplementation of the rules underlying these services. However, inalternative embodiments, the subscribers can additionally create theirown templates or templates can be downloaded from third party web sites,for example, directed to call control rule formulation.

Web page 700 indicates that the Privacy Manager rule template has beenselected. Accordingly, the Rule Description box 731 displays thetemplate corresponding to the Privacy Manager rule. In this example, thetemplate matches the description of Privacy Manager displayed in theRule Description box 520 of web page 500, including the underlinedvariable settings, so discussion of this rule description will not berepeated.

After selecting a rule template from the list in box 720, the subscriberclicks on the Next button 742 to proceed to the next step in buildingthe customized call control rule, as the template is only a startingpoint to guide the subscriber through building the customized rule. Inan embodiment of the invention, the Next button 742 sequentially walksthe subscriber through the various variable settings so that thesubscriber may accept, reject or change each one. The Back button 741enables the subscriber to return to an earlier step, if necessary toreview or alter previous entries. The subscriber clicks on the Finishbutton 743 in order to complete the process of building a new callcontrol rule from a template. In an embodiment of the invention, theFinish button 743 may be selected at any point, and the rule as itexists at that time will be implemented. For example, if the subscriberwants to merely use the template rule, he or she may simply select theFinish button 743 without having to step through the various modifiablesettings. The Cancel button 740 cancels any additions or changes, endsthe new rule creation process and returns the subscriber to a previousmenu (e.g., web page 500 or 700).

FIG. 8 is an exemplary web page 800 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention which is provided by the web server 255 to the client228 whenever the subscriber indicates a desire to create a new rule,such as by clicking on the New button 511 of web page 500 in FIG. 5, andfurther, the subscriber has selected the “Start from a blank rule” radiobutton 712 from the select mode options. The web page 800 displays thevarious criteria available to build the call control rules in the BlankRules box 820. The first step in building the customized rules is toidentify the circumstances under which the rule is to be applied,including determining whether the new rule applies to inbound oroutbound calls. Thus, the Blank Rules box 820 displays both “InboundCalls” and “Outbound Calls,” one of which is selected by the subscriber.In the exemplary web page 800, the subscriber has selected “InboundCalls.” The Rule Description box 830 reflects this selection, anddisplays “Apply this rule on inbound calls.” The subscriber then selectsthe Next button 742.

The exemplary web page 900 of FIG. 9 is then displayed at the client228. The web page indicates “Blank Rules-Inbound Calls,” to confirm thatthe rule is being built from scratch and that it is to be applied toincoming calls. The web page 900 also provides the criteria under whichthe new rule is to apply, displayed in the Apply This Rule box 950. Inan embodiment of the invention, the first criteria between which thesubscriber chooses is “Before the phone can ring” and “After the phonecan ring,” as shown in the Apply This Rule box 950. This tells the callprocessor, e.g., the SCP 243 or the Proxy 361, when to apply the rule.This option allows the subscriber to decide whether the phone is allowedto ring before the rule is implemented, thus notifying the subscriberthat an incoming call has been received (and is being processed).Otherwise, the phone does not ring unless the execution of thecustomized rule ultimately results in the phone ringing. For example,applying the rule before the phone rings support call blocking types ofapplications, while applying rules after the phone rings supportvoicemail types of applications. In the exemplary web page 900, thesubscriber has selected “Before the phone can ring.” The subscriber thenselects the Next button 742, for example.

The exemplary web page 1000 of FIGS. 10A and 10B is then displayed atthe client 228. The web page 1000 reflects the latest status of the rulebeing built, indicating “Blank Rules-Inbound Calls-Before RingingTelephone.” The web page 1000 also includes a Rule Conditions box 1010,which lists all of the optional conditions available to the subscriberbased on the initial rule selections. For example, the conditions listedin the Rule Conditions box 1010 are the different types of conditionsthat can be invoked for an inbound call before the phone rings, whichmay include the following examples:

-   -   Calling number is (or is not) in address book    -   Calling number is (or is not) in list XXX    -   Calling number matches (or does not match) pattern XXX    -   Calling number is (or is not) UNKNOWN    -   Calling number is (or is not) marked PRIVATE    -   Calling number is (or is not) payphone    -   Calling number is (or is not) hotel    -   Calling number is (or is not) Inter-LATA    -   Calling name is (or is not) in list XXX    -   Calling name matches (or does not match) pattern XXX    -   Calling name is (or is not) UNKNOWN    -   Time equals (not equals) XXX    -   Time is (is not) between (start time) and (stop time)

The subscriber selects the conditions that will apply to the incomingcalls by clicking on them. Rule Conditions box 1010 shows that the“Calling number is (or is not) in address book” condition has beenselected. This condition is therefore added to the Rule Description box830. Note that the condition is described in the Rule Description box830 as “the calling number is in the address book,” as opposed to “isnot” in the address book. In an embodiment of the invention, thecondition term not included in parenthesis is entered by defaultwhenever the condition is selected. When the subscriber actually desiresthe negative of that selected condition, he or she may click on the word“is” in the Rule Description box 830 to obtain the “is not” entry. Thisis not intended to limit the scope of the invention, however. Forexample, in other embodiments, the negative conditions may simply belisted separately in the Rule Conditions box 1010, or the negativeconditions may be selected by clicking twice on the same condition.

FIG. 10B shows the same web page 1000, except that now the RuleConditions box 1010 further shows that the “Calling number matches (ordoesn't match) pattern XXX.” The Rule Description box 830 accordinglydisplays “and where the calling number matches a pattern” as anadditional condition to the new call control rule. The conditions areadded to the new rule in the same manner until the desired call controlrule is obtained. The subscriber then clicks on the Finish button 743 toaccept the new rule.

In an embodiment of the invention, the Rules Database 245 isautomatically updated with the new rule, along with any other changes tothe call control program, whenever the subscriber exits from thewebsite. Alternatively, the Rule Database may be updated immediatelyupon the subscriber selecting the Finish button 743. In any case, thenew rule will be immediately available for implementation in thetelecommunications network.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary web page 1100 which would be displayed, forexample, when the subscriber clicks on “address book” in the RuleDescription box 830 of FIG. 10. Web page 1100 enables the subscriber tospecifically identify the address book that is to control application ofthe rule. In an embodiment of the invention, two address book settingsare available. When the “Any address book entry” radio button 1111 isselected, then the rule is invoked whenever the calling number appearsin any of the subscriber's previously entered address books. When the“Only these address book entry categories” radio button 1112 isselected, the subscriber may specify any number of specificallyidentified address books, which are listed in the Address Book box 1115.As shown, the VIP address book is highlighted, so that the rule wouldonly applies when the calling number is listed in the VIP address book(when “Only these address book entry categories” has been selected). Thesubscriber is able to select multiple address books in this manner. Whenthe subscriber has identified the appropriate address book application,he or she clicks on the Save button 1117 to implement the selection. TheCancel button 1116 cancels the selection, and sets the address bookentry to the default, which may be the “Any address book entry” setting,for example. The various address books are created and edited by thesubscriber, and are stored, for example, at the Rule Database 245, alongwith the customized call control rules.

Next, the subscriber must determine the disposition of the call once thecircumstances under which the call control rule is to be applied havebeen fully identified. The subscriber selects the Next button 742, forexample, from FIG. 10A or 10B, which results in web page 1200 beingdisplayed at the web client 228. The web page 1200 reflects the samestatus of the rule being built, indicating “Blank Rules-InboundCalls-Before Ringing Telephone.” The web page 1200 also includes a CallDisposition box 1210, which lists the optional dispositions indicatingwhat would be done with the call after it is identified. For example,the dispositions listed in the Call Disposition box 1210 are those thatcan be invoked for an inbound call before the phone rings, which mayinclude the following examples:

-   -   Pass call through    -   Pass call through with special ring tone XXX    -   Forward to voicemail    -   Forward to system announcement    -   Forward to customer announcement XXX    -   Forward to number XXX    -   Interactively screen call    -   Interactively block call    -   Find-Me-Follow-Me    -   Busy signal    -   Ring, no answer

Any of the various dispositions may be matched with the call identifiedby the selected rule building criteria, giving the subscriber tremendousflexibility in controlling calls. The subscriber selects the dispositionthat will apply to the incoming calls by clicking on them. The CallDisposition box 1210 shows that the subscriber has selected the “Passcall through with special ring tone” disposition, indicated by thehighlighting. A corresponding description of this call disposition istherefore added to the Rule Description box 830, such as “Pass the callthrough. Ring with special ring-tone.”

In an embodiment of the invention, the subscriber is able to select thering-tone by clicking on the underlined phrase “special ring-tone.” Thisresults in web page 1300 of FIG. 13 being displayed on the web client228. The web page 1300 includes the various ring tone settings availableto the subscriber. A normal ring tone is selected by clicking on theNormal radio button 1310, while special ring tones #1 and #2 areselected by clicking on the corresponding radio buttons 1311 and 1312.Each of the available ring tones includes a “press to hear” option thatenables the subscriber to listen to the ring tone at the web client 228,for example, via a WAV audio file. In an embodiment of the invention,the subscriber can also create his or her own ring tones, for example,by importing desired audio files. Clicking the Cancel button 1320negates any changes to the ring tone, and reverts to whatever ring toneis currently in place. For example, the normal ring tone is the default.Clicking the Save button 1321 saves the selected ring tone to be appliedunder the call control rule being built. The process then returns to webpage 1200 of FIG. 12.

As the final step in creating the new call control rule, the subscribermust name the rule. FIG. 14 shows exemplary web page 1400, whichrequests the subscriber to specify a name for the rule in Name box 1410.Any name may be associated with the rule, although the subscriber shouldgenerally select a name indicative of the functionality of the callcontrol rule so that the nature of the rule may be later ascertainedbased only on the name. However, in an embodiment of the invention, adefault name is automatically generated from the information alreadysupplied by the subscriber in building the rule. For example, thedefault name for the present rule, shown in Name box 1410, is “Specialring tone #1,” which reflects the subscriber's choice of calldisposition. The rule is activated by checking the “Turn on this rule”box 1411. Also, the subscriber may apply the rule to all telephonenumbers associated with the subscriber's account by clicking on the“Create this rule on all phone numbers” box 1412. Otherwise, the rule isonly applied to the telephone number originally shown in field 501 ofweb page 500 at the beginning of the process.

The subscriber has the opportunity to make additional modifications tothe rule, for example, by clicking on Back button 741 or on theunderlined phrases in the text of the Rule Description box 830. If thesubscriber clicks the Cancel button 740, the rule criteria arediscarded. By clicking the Finish box 743, the new rule is stored in theRules Database 245 in association with the subscriber's account, and isready for immediate implementation.

The web server 255 then again displays the main menu web screen 500 ofFIG. 5 at the web client 228. In an embodiment of the invention, the newcall control rule, “Special Ring tone #1,” is added to the bottom of therules listed in the Apply Rules box 510. To place the new rule elsewherein the list, the subscriber clicks on the Move Up button 516 until therule has the desired placement among the call control rules, which aresequentially execute from top to bottom, for example. The order isestablished by clicking on the OK button 522, and is accordingly storedfor implementation in the Rules Database 245.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsthat may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference toparticular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to suchstandards and protocols. Each of the standards, protocols and languagesrepresent examples of the state of the art. Such standards areperiodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards andprotocols having the same or similar functions are consideredequivalents thereof.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may notbe drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may beexaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, thedisclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not beused to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Inaddition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may begrouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing detailed description.

Although the invention has been described with reference to severalexemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have beenused are words of description and illustration, rather than words oflimitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appendedclaims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention in its aspects. Although the inventionhas been described with reference to particular means, materials andembodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionallyequivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for implementing customized rules forcontrolling customer communications, comprising: processing a requestreceived from a remote source to customize a rule for controllingcustomer communications; providing an entry menu for customizing rulesfor controlling customer communications based upon receipt of therequest to customize a rule for controlling customer communications, theentry menu including a selectable option to modify an existingcustomized rule for controlling customer communications and a selectableoption to create a new customized rule for controlling customercommunications; processing a request received via the entry menu tocreate a new customized rule for controlling customer communications;providing, based upon receipt of the request to create a new customizedrule for controlling customer communications, an initial selectioncriteria menu to create the new customized rule for controlling customercommunications, the initial selection criteria menu indicating whetherthe new customized rule will be built using a preexisting template orstarting from initial blank rule criteria; processing a responsereceived via the initial selection criteria menu indicating whether thenew customized rule will be built using a preexisting template orstarting from initial blank rule criteria; determining from the responsereceived via the initial selection criteria menu whether the newcustomized rule will be built using a preexisting template; when the newcustomized rule will be built using a preexisting template, providing alist of preexisting templates for creating new customized rules forcontrolling customer communications, processing a received selection ofa preexisting template from the list of preexisting templates, providingthe selected preexisting template, accepting input to populate theselected preexisting template, and storing a new customized rule basedon the selected preexisting template and including accepted input; whenthe new customized rule will be built without using a preexistingtemplate, providing initial blank rule criteria for creating a newcustomized rule for controlling customer communications, processing areceived selection of initial criteria from the initial blank rulecriteria, providing a list of rule conditions for the selected initialcriteria for the new customized rule, processing a received selection ofrule conditions for the selected initial criteria for the new customizedrule, and creating and storing a new customized rule based on theselected initial criteria and the selected rule conditions; providing adisplay describing the new customized rule; and processingcommunications in accordance with the stored new customized rule,wherein the stored new customized rule is implemented at an internalnetwork node of a communications service provider in accordance withrequests and selections received from customers using customerequipment, and wherein the stored new customized rule further includes aselected disposition for when the selected initial criteria and selectedrule conditions are met.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein thecommunications processed in accordance with the stored new customizedrule include internet voice communications.
 3. The method according toclaim 1, wherein at least one rule condition specifies at least oneentry in an electronic address book.
 4. The method according to claim 1,wherein at least one input to populate the selected preexisting templatecomprises an address book entry, and wherein the address book entry isidentified as belonging to one of a plurality of address bookcategories.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stored newcustomized rule results in a specified ring-tone being played when arule condition is met.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein thestored new customized rule is specified to apply to inboundcommunications or outbound communications.
 7. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the stored new customized rule is specified to applybefore notifying a subscriber device at a subscriber destination addressor after notifying a subscriber device at a subscriber destinationaddress.
 8. A system for implementing customized rules for controllingcustomer communications, comprising: a web server that processes arequest received from a remote source to customize a rule forcontrolling customer communications; provides an entry menu forcustomizing rules for controlling customer communications based uponreceipt of the request to customize a rule for controlling customercommunications, the entry menu including a selectable option to modifyan existing customized rule for controlling customer communications anda selectable option to create a new customized rule for controllingcustomer communications; wherein the web server processes a requestreceived via the entry menu to create a new customized rule forcontrolling customer communications; provides, based upon receipt of therequest to create a new customized rule for controlling customercommunications, an initial selection criteria menu to create the newcustomized rule for controlling customer communications, the initialselection criteria menu indicating whether the new customized rule willbe built using a preexisting template or starting from initial blankrule criteria; wherein the web server processes a response received viathe initial selection criteria menu indicating whether the newcustomized rule will be built using a preexisting template or startingfrom initial blank rule criteria, and determines from the responsereceived via the initial selection criteria menu whether the newcustomized rule will be built using a preexisting template; a storagethat stores a new customized rule for controlling customercommunications based on a selected preexisting template and includingaccepted input to populate the selected preexisting template when theselected preexisting template is selected from among a list ofpreexisting templates for creating new customized rules for controllingcustomer communications, the selection of the selected preexistingtemplate from among the list of preexisting templates is received, theselected preexisting template is provided, the input to populate theselected preexisting template is accepted, and the new customized ruleis built using the selected preexisting template and the accepted input,wherein the storage stores a new customized rule for controllingcustomer communications based on selected initial criteria and selectedrule conditions when initial blank rule criteria for creating a newcustomized rule for controlling customer communications are provided, aselection of initial criteria from the initial blank rule criteria isreceived, a list of rule conditions for the selected initial criteria isprovided, a selection of rule conditions for the selected initialcriteria is received, and the new customized rule is built using theselected initial criteria and selected rule conditions and without usinga preexisting template, wherein a display describes the new customizedrule; wherein communications are processed in accordance with the storednew customized rule, wherein the stored new customized rule isimplemented at an internal network node of a communications serviceprovider in accordance with requests and selections received fromcustomers using customer equipment, and wherein the stored newcustomized rule further includes a selected disposition for when theselected initial criteria and selected rule conditions are met.
 9. Thesystem according to claim 8, wherein the web server dynamically providesa description of the new customized rule.
 10. The system according toclaim 9, wherein the description further defines the new customizedrule.
 11. The system according to claim 8, wherein the web servercommunicates over the public Internet.
 12. The system according to claim8, wherein the new customized rule controls telephone calls over thepublic switched telephone network.
 13. The system according to claim 8,wherein the new customized rule controls communications over theInternet.
 14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium thatstores a set of executable instructions for implementing customizedrules for controlling customer communications, the set of executableinstructions, when executed by a processor of a computer, causing thecomputer to perform acts including: processing a request received from aremote source to customize a rule for controlling customercommunications; providing an entry menu for customizing rules forcontrolling customer communications based upon receipt of the request tocustomize a rule for controlling customer communications, the entry menuincluding a selectable option to modify an existing customized rule forcontrolling customer communications and a selectable option to create anew customized rule for controlling customer communications; processinga request received via the entry menu to create a new customized rulefor controlling customer communications; providing, based upon receiptof the request to create a new customized rule for controlling customercommunications, an initial selection criteria menu to create the newcustomized rule for controlling customer communications, the initialselection criteria menu indicating whether the new customized rule willbe built using a preexisting template or starting from initial blankrule criteria; processing a response received via the initial selectioncriteria menu indicating whether the new customized rule will be builtusing a preexisting template or starting from initial blank rulecriteria; determining from the response received via the initialselection criteria menu whether the new customized rule will be builtusing a preexisting template; when the new customized rule will be builtusing a preexisting template, providing a list of preexisting templatesfor creating new customized rules for controlling customercommunications, processing a received selection of a preexistingtemplate from the list of preexisting templates, providing the selectedpreexisting template, accepting input to populate the selectedpreexisting template, and storing a new customized rule based on theselected preexisting template and including any accepted input; when thenew customized rule will be built without using a preexisting template,providing initial blank rule criteria for a new customized rule forcontrolling customer communications, processing a received selection ofinitial criteria from the initial blank rule criteria, providing a listof rule conditions for the selected initial criteria for the newcustomized rule, processing a received selection of rule conditions forthe selected initial criteria for the new customized rule, and creatingand storing a new customized rule based on the selected initial criteriaand the selected rule conditions; providing a display describing the newcustomized rule; processing communications in accordance with the storednew customized rule, wherein the stored new customized rule isimplemented at an internal network node of a communications serviceprovider in accordance with requests and selections received fromcustomers using customer equipment, and wherein the stored newcustomized rule further includes a selected disposition for when theselected initial criteria and selected rule conditions are met.
 15. Thestorage medium according to claim 14, wherein a description of the newcustomized rule is provided via the display after processing thereceived selected initial criteria and selected rule conditions.
 16. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising: overriding the storednew customized rule when an originator of a communication enters anoverride indicator and processing the communication in accordance withthe override indicator.
 17. The storage medium according to claim 14,wherein the stored new customized rule is associated with an overrideindicator such that an originator of a communication can enter theoverride indication to override the stored new customized rule.